We have begun our first expository piece. The students are writing about a person who is special. They are working well on the preliminary steps of brainstorming, as this should now be a mastered concept. We are looking at mentor texts (written pieces that have something to teach us) in order to see a finished expository piece. We are breaking it down to work backward in order to see how the author used a graphic organizer to plan for his/her work. This is helping the students understand the importance of planning.
Also in writing, we are beginning to learn specific spelling patterns for our 4th grade non-negotiable words. In my room, the 3rd grade words were posted on the first day on white cards. The fourth grade words are being added in blue. Any special words (specific to our classroom conversations) will also be added as we learn them. The first pattern we are working on is the long /a/ sound. Students have analyzed the different ways for spelling the sound and have identified whether that pattern is common to the initial, medial, or final position in a word. We will continue practicing words that fall under those patterns this week.
Lastly, we will begin looking at revising and editing a passage in the format it will look like for testing. I don't do this very often, as I completely disagree with teaching to a test. However, periodically, I find that it's the best way to introduce the students to what will be expected in a non threatening format, so that by the time the STAAR rolls around, it's very familiar.
Thanks for stopping by here to check in. Thanks also for your understanding with the change of date regarding the field trip. Just when we thought it was all finalized... That's life I guess.